BJD, Congress members demand arrest of former
Lok Sabha MP
Bhubaneswar: The flying of a chopper over the eco-sensitive Chilika lake by former Lok Sabha MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda and a video posted by one of his aides created a ruckus inside and outside the Assembly Tuesday.
As the session opened at 10.30 am, ruling party members raised the issue and demanded immediate arrest of Panda. . BJD members shouted slogans against Panda and his aide who had also allegedly flown over Chilika lake, Konark and Puri Jagannath temples. The ruling party vehemently protested the remarks of Panda’s friend Abhijit Iyer Mitra through a social media video on Konark temple. Speaker Pradip Amat adjourned the house for an hour. Demanding arrest of the duo, BJD legislators led by Sanjay Das Burma staged a dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
“Those who are the protectors of law are violating it. The Centre withdrew its seaplane proposal on Chilika lake as it will negatively affect the bio-diversity, while they (Panda) are flying a helicopter on the lake,” Das Burma said.
Panda flew his chopper over the eco-sensitive zone while his associate made an insensitive remark on the state’s art and culture which is highly condemnable, he said. “Anyone who loves the state and its art and culture will never tolerate such acts. Strong action should be taken against them,” the BJD leader demanded.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “A non-Odia was commenting on Konark temple- the pride of Odisha. His comments have definitely hurt the sentiments of the people of Odisha. According to him, the naked sculpture on Konark temple is contrary to Hindu culture and reflects imprint of Muslim culture.” He urged the state government to take immediate action on this.
Reacting to this issue, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the chopper should have been seized only after a proper probe. “If it is a reserved area, why should Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik be allowed to fly on the same zone when someone else doing so is proved wrong. It is a political conspiracy,” Bahinipati told the media.
BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo said, “We are maintaining double standards. We are opposing chopper landing in Chilika while allowing hundreds of mechanised boats to operate in the lagoon,” he said.
He said the BJD should demand Patnaik’s arrest for flying on the same zone. “If they want to protect the lake, the Chief Minister, who has flown over the lake several times in the past, should be arrested,” the BJP leader added.
Meanwhile, forest and environment minister Bijayshree Routray said the state government will take necessary actions in the matter as per law. “A preliminary investigation shows that the flight made a landing at Chilika. He (Panda) committed a mistake by flying at a low-level in a fragile and eco-sensitive area,” he asserted.
Puri police issued notices to Panda and his two associates who were on board the chopper. The police Monday had seized the chopper. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the Chilika Development Authority.